C20
Rhododendron-mountain pine scrub (Pinus mugo, Rhododendron hirsutum), dwarf shrub communities (Arctostaphylos alpinus), grasslands and tall-herb communities in the Alps, partly with rock and scree vegetation on carbonate rocks, in the east Alps with Rhodothamnus chamaecistus
Description
Species-rich two-layered stands with Pinus mugo and its hybrids in the shrub layer and frequent Vaccinio-Piceetea, Erico-pinion and Seslerion coeruleae species in the herb layer; poorly growing and often krummholz-like spruces and larches may be added. Hemicryptophytes as well as chamaephytes and phanerophytes are also frequently present. Usually at the tree line, and for edaphic reasons occasionally extending into the montane belt. Consistent with the mostly rocky soils on steep slopes, often developed as ribbons on ledges, and on plateaux also as large areas of low growing mugo pine scrub (Pinus mugo).
Tree Layer
scattered Picea abies (Norway Spruce); locally Larix decidua (European Larch), Pinus cembra (Swiss Pine)
Scattered Norway Spruce, locally European Larch and Swiss Pine
Shrub Layer
Pinus mugo (dominant) (Mountain Pine), Sorbus chamaemespilus (Rowan Bush), Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan), Rosa pendulina (Field Maple Bush), Lonicera caerulea (English Elm Bush), locally Alnus alnobetula (Green Alder); Juniperus communis subsp. Alpina (Juniper), Salix glabra (Downy Birch Bush), Salix waldsteiniana (Common Ash Bush), Lonicera nigra (Fruiting Blackthorn Bush), Lonicera alpigena (Fruiting Blackthorn Bush), Rubus saxatilis (Fruiting Bramble)
Lianas
(rarely Clematis alpina)
Herb Layer
Rhododendron hirsutum (wild_shrub), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (alpine_bearberry), Erica carnea (blackberry_bush), Daphne striata (blackberry_bush), Rhodothamnus chamaecistus (blackberry_bush) (east Alps), Salix retusa (lingonberry_bush), Arctostaphylos alpinus (alpine_bearberry), Silene alpestris (simbelmyne), Calamagrostis varia (dry_reeds), Polygala chamaebuxus (blackberry_bush), Globularia cordifolia (wild_parsley), Valeriana saxatilis (wild_parsley), Tofieldia calyculata (lush_grass), Sesleria albicans (common_meadow_grass), Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. Italicum (rock_rose), Carex sempervirens (harts_tongue_fern), Senecio abrotanifolius (wormwood), Dryas octopetala (wild_parsley), Primula wulfeniana (wild_parsley);in acidophilous types: Rhododendron ferrugineum (bilberry_bush), Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry_bush), Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry_bush), Vaccinium uliginosum (bog_blueberry_bush), Empetrum hermaphroditum (bilberry_bush), Homogyne alpina (black_knapweed), Anemone trifolia (ABSENT), Anemone narcissiflora (ABSENT), Cardamine enneaphyllos (sweet_woodruff), Luzula sylvatica (greater_wood_rush)
Western foothills of the Misty Mountains, incl. Hollin and much of Dunland
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